The Renault 4 newsstand series continues to flourish but is more and more repetitive compared to the first series started years ago. This Renault 4 Fourgonnette is from the mid sixties where the tubular bumper at the front has been replaced by a pressed steel one. Nice to see is the type name badge on the right front wing which was standard for all Renaults later on in the sixties.

The green Renault 4S comes from an exotic place, Argentina to be precise, where Renault had its own factory for many years. The second type of grille, convex headlights, extra chrome bracket over the bumpers and the metallic paint give this version a luxurious look.

In the seventies and eighties the larger Renault 4F6 was widely used as a service van at dealerships and this is an excellent example with the grey (last) grille.

Renault Merchandising

At Renault Merchandising, a few models have appeared in the past year that have not yet come to the fore here.

To start with there were two versions of the new Alpine A110. The grey one is a Légende with a beautiful brown interior and the one on the right is the Pure version in blue with a black interior. The latter was made by Norev but the left one is unbranded and looks more like a hand built kit. This version can be ordered at your Renault dealer under number 60 20 080 204. 1,000 examples have been made of the blue Pure -  order number 60 20 080 205.

 The facelifted Renault Twingo has been discussed here before and in France a special edition has been released, the Twingo Le Coq Sportif with blue/red striping and differing from other variants with a sliding roof. Norev produce this model which can be ordered from the dealer under number 77 11 942 517.

Red trucks

By coincidence, all the Renault trucks shown here are red. The first two are red because they are fire trucks from the discontinued series 'Les plus beaux camions des sapeurs-pompiers'. The one on the left is a Renault VI 110.150 forest fire truck with a SAIREP tank body. This one is actually driven in Hauterives in the Drôme. The second fire engine is also a four-wheel drive Midlum with bodywork by Gimaex and it comes from Somain in the Nord department.

We go much further back in history with the third red truck, 1924 to be precise. Perfex/Momaco produced this Renault MY as a limited edition of 150 examples and a second version, Huiles Renault, has been announced.

Existing models

OTTO has released two existing models in new colours: Firstly, the Alpine V6 Le Mans in the chic Vert scarabée with a two-tone interior and secondly the Vert Taïga Avantime with an attractive beige interior which will delight fans - only a handful of this version were built in real life (131).

In a much smaller scale is the 3 inch Renault F1 from Z Models, with a pull back function – pull it back and let go!

The Les Utilitaires Renault series continues unabated still with praiseworthy originality. The light green 1958 Galion is a street cleaner and the 1972 SG2 MG 35 belonged to a furniture transport company. The Galion tractor is a Sinpar conversion and it’s a shame the normally accompanying Renault trailer isn't behind it. Then a Juvaquatre and for the first time a 206E1, the first 1,000 kg dating from 1946.

The first Renault from Z-Models, a manufacturer under the same umbrella as OTTO and Solido, was the white Renault Magnum truck in 1:18 scale which was a gigantic model with steerable front axle and doors that could be opened. The same Magnum has now also appeared in black, for the enthusiast who prefers it.

A while ago Odeon released a 1:43 scale Renault 12, a TL Phase II fortunately as the choice of first generation examples is already far too large. The buyer can choose between this typical French beige or the characteristic orange.

Following on from the Argentinian partwork models shown above, we have picked one in particular: The 1970 Policia Federal Renault Torino S . The coupé version of the Torino has been released several times already but as far as we know this is not the case for the saloon so now we would like to see a civilian version!

Back to the beginning

We started this section with Norev's new 1:18 Twingo's and we also end with them because alongside the first four colour variants, Norev has also released this grey second type Twingo with bright headlights, cheerful upholstery and correct hubcaps this time.

A new newspaper stand series looks to be very interesting, Les Camions SAVIEM, an Altaya edition that is currently being trialled in some regions in France. If there is sufficient interest, it will be launched throughout the country in the near future with significantly better availability.

ACMA is the association of Renault miniature collectors with one branch in France and one for the rest of Europe. They have released this special electric taxi in 1:43 scale based on a Renault Celtaquatre. The number of copies produced is small, so enthusiasts should be quick.